Marine Park Is To Harness the Firth Tides

Scotland is to unveil the second largest marine energy park in the UK at Pentland Firth, thus, enhancing Scotland’s reputation as a global centre for renewable energy.

The government in the UK is to confirm that the creation of the second such park south of Orkney where the developers will attempt to exploit some of the fastest tides in the world.

The new park’s aim is to draw attention internationally to this region in the hope of creating a ‘gold rush effect’ which will pull more research and investment to the area.

Ministers feel that if this tidal technology is harnessed commercially, marine energy would be able to supply the same volume of electricity to Britain as 8 coal fired power station by the year 2050.

Pentland Firth had been acknowledged as a location that is most fruitful, and Alex Salmond describes it as “the Saudi Arabia” of marine energy because of its strength of tides that flow between Orkney and Caithness.

There is a commitment with both governments for substantial increases to electricity that is sourced from renewables.

Although marine energy at present is not commercially viable, the governments hope that it will be able to provide a regular and reliable source of energy that does not have the controversy that surrounds wind farms.

The first marine energy park in the UK was unveiled in the south west of England, the park stretches from Bristol to the Isles of Scilly to the south of Cornwall.

The park will be officially opened by Greg Barker, climate change minister.